First-Year

Orientation Schedule - Fall 2026

Move-In & Orientation

  • Friday, September 4 (Move-In)

    CHECK IN & RESIDENCE HALL MOVE IN
    9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

    Check-in and pick-up your key, and student ID at your residence hall. Orientation Leaders (OLs) and Resident Assistant (RAs) will be on hand to show you to your room and help you get moved in. Please plan to arrive in your scheduled check in time slot.

    Once your car is unloaded in front of your building, we ask that you move your vehicle to one of our designated parking lots to allow for other students to unload and get their items to their room.

    Your Residence Hall for Key Pick Up & Move-In

    LUNCH IN THE DINING HALL
    11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

    Join us for a casual lunch in the dining hall to celebrate the start of your Union experience! Students and their family supporters are warmly invited to drop in, connect with classmates, and enjoy a meal together. Please bring the vouchers you received at move-in check-in.

    Reamer Campus Dining Hall

    CHABAD OPEN HOUSE
    12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p. m.

    Join incoming first-year and transfer students, together with their families, at Chabad at Union’s Open House. Connect with Chabad staff, student leaders, and other Jewish families while discovering the opportunities, warmth, and community that Jewish life at Union has to offer..

    Chabad at Union Rohr Jewish Student Center
    225 Seward Pl.

    INTRODUCTION TO STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES ORIENTATION
    1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

    Students registered with Student Accessibility Services should plan to attend this session to meet the staff, tour the office, and receive important information about requesting their accommodations. Student should have received an e-mail invite from Student Accessibility Services Office with more details. Parents are encourage to explore campus or the bookstore during this time.

    Schaffer Library

    FIRST GEN MEET & GREET FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
    2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

    Are you the first in your family to attend college? Stop by our First Gen Meet & Greet to meet other first-generation students, supportive staff, and campus partners who are here to cheer you on. This is a great chance to build community, ask questions, and celebrate the start of your college journey.

    Location TBD

    RESOURCE FAIR
    2:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

    Stop by the Nott Memorial for a resources fair. Representatives from across campus will be here, drop in to meet staff and have any questions answered.

    Nott Memorial

    PRESIDENT'S WELCOME
    4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    Join us as members of the Union Administration officially welcome you to the Union Community and your Union College experience.

    Hear from:

    • Elizabeth Kiss, President
    • Annette Diorio, VP for Student Affairs
    • Michele Angrist, Dean of Faculty, VP for Academic Affairs

    Moderated by:

    • Aileen Schatz, Director of the First-Year Experience

    Frank Bailey Field

    PARENTS & FAMILIES DEPART
    5:00 p.m.

    After the welcome, once our Orientation programs begin, we kindly ask that parents and families head back home so our students can be fully present in our programing.

    ORIENTATION GROUP CONNECTIONS, FIRST GROUP MEETINGS AND DINNER
    5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

    Throughout Orientation you will get together with the members of your Orientation Group and meet your Orientation Leaders (OLs). Our OLs will facilitate conversations and connections among group members and serve as a mentor and friend during your transition to Union. Get to know the other members of your Orientation Group and your OLs and enjoy dinner together as a group!

    You'll be introduced to your OLs at the conclusion of the President's Welcome

    SAFETY ON CAMPUS
    7:00 p.m. - 7:25 p.m.

    You'll hear from members of Campus Safety and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) staff about their role on campus, the services they provide, how they work to enforce rules, regulations and policies on campus, and share personal safety tips and practices with you to keep the Union Community safe. Campus Safety's number is (518) 388-6911.

    Memorial Chapel

    CLASS T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY & CLASS OF 2030 PICTURE
    7:25 p.m.

    See an Orientation Committee Member on your way to the Nott Memorial to receive your official Garnet Chargers - Alma Mater t-shirt! Put that shirt on and get ready to say, “Cheese” and be proud to be a member of the Class of 2030 as we take the official class picture of your incoming class!

    Nott Memorial

    ODE TO OLD UNION
    7:50 p.m.

    Join us as we bring back a beloved Union tradition! We will gather at the President’s House to serenade President Kiss with our Alma Mater, 'Ode to Old Union,' marking a proud return of this campus tradition. Don't worry if you don't know the words, you can just read it off the back of the shirt of your classmate in front of you!

    President's House

    WEST BEACH WELCOME
    8:10 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

    Join your classmates and OLs for our West Beach Welcome! Enjoy snacks, have some fun, and get to know your classmates on the first night of orientation.

    West Beach

  • Saturday, September 5

    BREAKFAST
    7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

    Be sure to have your Union ID as you will need it to swipe into the dining hall.

    Reamer Campus Dining

    OPTIONAL WELLNESS EXPERIENCES
    7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

    Students can opt into participate in a wellness experience during this time. Pre-registration for some activities may be required. Sign up links will be added here for classes closer to move-in.

    Alumni Gym open for incoming students only
    7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - no sign up required

    Wellness Classes - Class details added later this summer
    Class Times TBD - limited spots available - sign up here later this summer

    Alumni Gym

    RES HALL FLOOR MEETINGS
    9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

    Connect with your RA and floormates discuss what it means to be a part of your floor community.

    Your Res Hall Floor

    OL SMALL GROUP TIME & CAMPUS TOUR
    10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

    Reconnect with your OL group before you begin day 1 of orientation and explore key spots on campus with your orientation group.

    Meet at your OL group location

    SATURDAY ROTATIONS BLOCKS

    During this rotation block, you’ll move through four important sessions designed to help you feel informed, connected, and confident as you begin your Union journey. The topics include:

    Time with Title IX & Title IV – Hear from Ann Ciancia, Title IX Coordinator and Director of Equal Opportunity, to learn about your rights, resources, and how Union supports a safe and respectful campus community. (Extended Session)
    CPH Ballroom

    Healthy Choices at College – Engage in an open conversation around topics including: alcohol & other drugs, hazing, health & wellness, and safety & support, to help you make smart and healthy choices while at Union.
    Reamer Auditorium

    Intro to Academics – This session breaks down your graduation requirements and shows you how to partner with your advisor to make the most of your time here. Building on your summer prep, we will also look at how our campus Honor Code applies to real-world classes so you can start your first semester with confidence.
    Olin 115

    These sessions will rotate in groups so everyone has a chance to engage meaningfully with each topic.

    SATURDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 1
    11:00 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.

    SATURDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 2
    11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

    LUNCH
    12:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

    Lunch details TBD

    TBD

    SATURDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 3
    2:15 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.

    SATURDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 4
    2:55 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

    MEET YOUR SHARED EXPERIENCE GROUP & LEADERS
    3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

    Get to know the other students and leaders you'll be spending time with during your Shared Experience tomorrow!

    Meeting Locations by Shared Experience

    MEET YOUR OL TO HEAD TO THE HARBOR
    5:15 p.m.

    Reconnect with your OL Group to head down to Mohawk Harbor for dinner and to see M&T Bank Center.

    Meet your OL near the First-Year Buildings

    CHARGERS ON THE HARBOR & SAMPLES FROM SCHENECTADY
    5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

    Kick off your Union experience at Mohawk Harbor with music, games, and great food! Connect with classmates, enjoy samples from a few local restaurants, and get a look at the M&T Bank Center where our hockey teams will play. It’s a fun and flavorful welcome to your new community!

    Mohawk Harbor

    WEST TRIVIA & ICE CREAM SOCIAL
    8:15 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.

    After a full day of activities, sessions, and connecting with your classmates, wind down with some fun at the ice cream social and BuzzTime Trivia in the West Social Space. It's sometime to enjoy a snack, relax, meet new people, make great memories, and maybe even win some prizes.

    West Social Space, First Floor

    KENNEY OPEN MIC NIGHT
    8:30 p.m.

    The staff from the Kenney Center for Community Engagement and Outreach invite you to join them for an open mic night coffee house. Come to share your talent, art, and connect with other new students.

    Kenney Center for Community Engagement and Outreach

  • Sunday, September 6 (Shared Experience Day)

    BREAKFAST
    7:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

    Be sure to have your Union ID as you will need it to swipe into the dining hall.

    Reamer Campus Dining

    SHARED EXPERIENCES
    All Day! - start & end times vary

    This is what this day is all about! Get ready to connect with classmates through your Shared Experiences, a small-group program designed around common interests. With 16 exciting options, these programs offer a fun and meaningful way to build community before classes begin.

    Students should rank their preferences in their applicant portal by August 4th, and you'll find out your assigned experience in mid-August!

    The day will look different depending on which Shared Experience you're participating in.

    Our 20 experiences include:

    • Adirondack Adventure Experience
    • Art and Theatre in the Hudson Valley
    • Arts in the Berkshires
    • Basketball Hall of Fame and on the Court
    • Beyond the Pines: Discover the Electric City
    • Broadway for the Day
    • Coffee Shop Hop: Exploring the Capital Region’s Best Brews
    • A Giant day with the Mets!
    • Going for Gold: An Olympic-Sized Adventure in Lake Placid
    • Local Landscapes: Above & Below Ground
    • Locals’ Best Kept Secrets: Hiking, Farm Tour and Ethnic Foods
    • Making It in the Capital Region: A Tour of Local Maker Spaces and Union’s Maker Web
    • Paws, Wings, and Wild Things: A Day for Animal Enthusiasts
    • Rail to River
    • Saratoga and Schuyler: The Revolution Comes to New York
    • Steps and Stage: A Day of Dance and Broadway in NYC
    • Summit Together: First-Year Experience Hike
    • Upstate Eats & Vermont Treats
    • Wellness and U
    • A Wild Day in the ADK!

    Various Locations On and Off Campus

    DINNER (for those with Shared Experiences that do not include dinner)
    5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

    Be sure to have your Union ID as you will need it to swipe into the dining hall.

    Reamer Campus Dining

    EVENING SOCIAL ACTIVITIES HOSTED BY RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION & HOUSING

    After a full day of activities connecting with your classmates, wind down with some fun evening events designed to help you get comfortable on campus, meet new people, and make memories. Keep an eye out for more details soon!

  • Monday, September 7

    BREAKFAST
    7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

    Be sure to have your Union ID as you will need it to swipe into the dining hall.

    Reamer Campus Dining

    OPTIONAL WELLNESS EXPERIENCES
    7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

    Students can opt into participate in a wellness experience during this time. Pre-registration for some activities may be required. Sign up links will be added here for classes closer to move-in.

    Alumni Gym open for incoming students only
    7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - no sign up required

    Wellness Classes - Class details added later this summer
    Class Times TBD - limited spots available - sign up here later this summer

    Alumni Gym

    RES HALL FLOOR COMMUNITY TIME
    9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

    Spend time reconnecting with your RA and floormates as you continue building your floor community. This is your chance to reflect and talk about what it means to live and learn together, and set the tone for a supportive and respectful space.

    Your Res Hall Floor

    TRANSFER STUDENT - ADVISING OVERVIEW WITH DEAN OSBORN AND CLASS DEANS
    9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

    Transfer students will have the opportunity to talk to Dean Osborn and their Class Dean about transfer credit evaluations, general education requirements and how to make sure they stay on track for graduation.

    Karp 105

    OL SMALL GROUP TIME
    10:20 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

    Reconnect with your OL group after a day apart for your shared experiences and get ready to begin day 3 of orientation.

    Your OL group location

    MONDAY ROTATIONS BLOCKS

    During this rotation block, you’ll move through four interactive sessions designed to help you explore key resources, reflect on your goals, and connect with the people and programs here to support you throughout your Union experience. The topics include:

    All About Schaffer Library – Learn how to make the most of the Library’s spaces, services, and resources. Whether you need quiet study areas, research support, textbooks from other libraries around the country or world, a place to collaborate with classmates, or just a spare computer charger, Schaffer Library has you covered.
    Reamer Auditorium

    Intro to the Career Center – Learn how Union’s Career Center can help you explore opportunities, build skills, and prepare for your future.
    Old Chapel

    Connections & Community – Join our Dean for DEIB and the Office of Intercultural Affairs (OIA) for an engaging session focused on connection and community.
    Nott Memorial

    Academic Support at Union – Succeeding in college takes more than just showing up. It takes initiative, curiosity, and knowing when to ask for help. Luckily, Union offers a wide range of academic resources to help you thrive, but it’s up to you to take advantage of them. In this session, you’ll hear from your Class Dean, and learn about academic resources like the Office of Student Success and the Writing Center. Whether you want to sharpen your study strategies or just need a sounding board, these are the people who can support you every step of the way. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed, start building your academic support team now!
    Olin 115

    These sessions will rotate in groups so everyone has a chance to engage meaningfully with each topic.

    MONDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 1
    10:50 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.

    MONDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 2
    11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    LUNCH
    12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

    Be sure to have your Union ID as you will need it to swipe into the dining hall.

    Reamer Campus Dining

    MONDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 3
    1:50 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.

    MONDAY ROTATIONS BLOCK 4
    2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

    OL SMALL GROUP TIME
    3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

    Reconnect with your OL group before heading to your Minerva!

    Your OL group location

    MINERVOLYMPICS
    3:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

    Let the games begin! As an orientation group, you'll meet at your Minerva House then head to Rugby Field to compete as part of your Minerva House to acquire points in a variety of different challenges and activities. Which house will be this year's champion?!

    Your Minerva then to Rugby Field

    DINNER
    5:45 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

    Be sure to have your Union ID as you will need it to swipe into the dining hall.

    Reamer Campus Dining

    ORIENTATION BIG PRIZE BINGO
    8:30 p.m.

    Join the Class of 2030 at one of Union’s most popular events. You could win anything from laundry detergent, Union gear, bluetooth speakers, a TV and more.

    CPH Ballroom

  • Tuesday, September 8

    BREAKFAST
    7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

    Be sure to have your Union ID as you will need it to swipe into the dining hall.

    Reamer Campus Dining

    OPTIONAL WELLNESS EXPERIENCES
    7:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

    Students can opt into participate in a wellness experience during this time. Pre-registration for some activities may be required. Sign up links will be added here for classes closer to move-in.

    Alumni Gym open for incoming students only
    7:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. - no sign up required

    Wellness Classes - Class details added later this summer
    Class Times TBD - limited spots available - sign up here later this summer

    Alumni Gym

    INDIVIDUAL ADVISING APPOINTMENTS
    9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

    Bring your schedule and any questions you want answered. This is your first opportunity to meet your advisor.

    OFFICE OPEN HOUSES / DROP IN EVENTS
    10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    Take advantage of this relaxed opportunity to visit a variety of campus offices, meet the staff who are here to support you, explore their spaces, and ask any questions you may have in a casual, welcoming environment. Multiple offices will be hosting drop-in open houses during this time — if you’re not in your advisor meeting, we encourage you to check them out! You'll receive 10 Orientation Bolt Points for every office you visit!

    Locations include:

    • TBD

    TIPS AND TRICKS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT UNION (FROM YOUR OLs)
    10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    Join your Orientation Leaders for a variety of 20-minute sessions focused on the tools, tips, and campus know-how that helped them thrive at Union. From mastering your Google Calendar to getting involved in Student Forum and more, these sessions are full of insider advice to help you start strong.

    LUNCH
    12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

    Be sure to have your Union ID as you will need it to swipe into the dining hall.

    Reamer Dining Hall

    DROP/ADD FOR NEW STUDENTS
    1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

    If you need to make changes to your class schedule, you’ll be able to make those adjustments during this time.

    Nott Memorial

    INDIVIDUALISED CLASSROOM TOURS WITH OLs
    1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

    Connect with one of your OLs to sign up for an individual tour to walk through your class schedule and be ready to start your classes tomorrow!

    Connect with your OL for location meetups

    LINE UP FOR MINERVA PROCESSION
    3:15 p.m.

    Join your OLs and Minerva Student Leaders to prepare for the procession into Convocation.

    Rugby Field

    MINERVA PROCESSION FOR CONVOCATION
    3:30 p.m.

    New Students, OLs, and Minerva Student Leaders will procession into Convocation by Minerva.

    Rugby Field to Memorial Chapel

    OPENING CONVOCATION
    4:00 p.m.

    Join your classmates, faculty and staff to celebrate the start of the 2026-2027 academic year.

    Memorial Chapel

Additional Key Dates

  • Wednesday, September 9

    FIRST DAY OF CLASSES

    FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PHOTOS
    8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

    Stop by Reamer Campus Center for your first day of school photo! We will have first day of school boards to fill out to show off your first day!

    Reamer Campus Center

  • Friday, September 11

    CLUB EXPO
    4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

    You don't want to miss Club Expo! Every Year Student Forum hosts Club Expo to showcase all the clubs and organizations on campus. Stop by to sign up for all the clubs that interest you, for some great food, and for fun giveaways!

    Tent on Library Plaza

  • Saturday, September 12 - Monday, September 14

    JOHN CALVIN TOLL DAYS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
    Time slots available Saturday through Monday - you'll sign up during orientation!

    Join hundreds of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends for a few great days of community engagement at the College. Some examples of sites may include community cleanups, community schools programming, urban farming, park maintenance, supporting local nonprofit events, and event assisting with and attending some of the local festivals happening that weekend!

    Various Locations

International Student Move-In, September 2 and Global Orientation, September 3 - September 4

*Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Any changes/updates will be posted here.

Updated as of 7/21/26.